outunderthestars
Banned
UPDATE: R2 impressions are beginning to roll in:
Forbes video impressions
Computer Shopper review:
Shacknews review
Jason Evangelho from Forbes has been covering the micropc market and looks to have the first hands on impressions and benchmarks for the system. Note: His impressions are based on the $549 base model (i3, 4GB ram, modified GTX 860M with 2GB vram)
UI: First, a few words about the Alphas initial setup: It was a piece of cake. Before you even see the traditional Desktop (an area which, depending on your needs, is a completely optional experience), the Windows 8 setup is handled by using the left stick of the Xbox 360 controller as a mouse cursor, navigating your way through the time zone, language, and internet settings. The onscreen keyboard activates when it needs to, and the entire setup went off without a hitch.
Once youre clear of those menus, youre greeted by the Alpha UI, a clean and modern interface which presents you with the option of entering Console Mode or Desktop Mode. If you take the red pill (Console Mode) youre whisked away to an environment thats smart enough to stay out of its own way, while suppressing everything annoying and familiar about Windows. You can launch Steams Big Picture Mode from here (its pre-installed and theres no bloatware, by the way), manage your network settings, customize the AlienFX lighting, and tweak your display and audio settings. Youll even be able to handle Windows Updates.
Benchmarks: My benchmarks will take a unique approach, in that Ill present the settings needed to achieve an average of 60fps at 1080p (always 1080p).
Batman: Arkham Origins
FXAA High, All DirectX 11 Features Enabled, PhysX Normal = Average 65fps
Metro: Last Light Redux
Medium Quality, 4xAF, Tessellation Off = Average 58fps
BioShock Infinite
Very High Quality = Average 55fps
GRID Autosport
High Quality, 4xMSAA = Average 75fps
Sleeping Dogs Definitive Edition
Medium Quality, Normal Anti-aliasing = Average 66fps
Tomb Raider
HIGH Quality setting, 1080p,= 63.3 average fps
(Free games included with Alpha)
initial conclusions: As I said, my first impression is overwhelmingly positive. I knew the custom UI was a game-changer, but I worried about receiving an anemic, underpowered machine. That worry has dissipated, and Im looking forward to exploring more of what the Alpha has in store for both new and veteran PC gamers. Stick around!
It's a good article, and well worth checking out.
EDIT: PC World has a nice review up now:
Positive review from techcrunch
http://techcrunch.com/2014/12/12/ali...-tiny-package/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0i6..._mNMnz&index=4
Forbes video impressions
Computer Shopper review:
Shacknews review
Jason Evangelho from Forbes has been covering the micropc market and looks to have the first hands on impressions and benchmarks for the system. Note: His impressions are based on the $549 base model (i3, 4GB ram, modified GTX 860M with 2GB vram)
UI: First, a few words about the Alphas initial setup: It was a piece of cake. Before you even see the traditional Desktop (an area which, depending on your needs, is a completely optional experience), the Windows 8 setup is handled by using the left stick of the Xbox 360 controller as a mouse cursor, navigating your way through the time zone, language, and internet settings. The onscreen keyboard activates when it needs to, and the entire setup went off without a hitch.
Once youre clear of those menus, youre greeted by the Alpha UI, a clean and modern interface which presents you with the option of entering Console Mode or Desktop Mode. If you take the red pill (Console Mode) youre whisked away to an environment thats smart enough to stay out of its own way, while suppressing everything annoying and familiar about Windows. You can launch Steams Big Picture Mode from here (its pre-installed and theres no bloatware, by the way), manage your network settings, customize the AlienFX lighting, and tweak your display and audio settings. Youll even be able to handle Windows Updates.
Benchmarks: My benchmarks will take a unique approach, in that Ill present the settings needed to achieve an average of 60fps at 1080p (always 1080p).
Batman: Arkham Origins
FXAA High, All DirectX 11 Features Enabled, PhysX Normal = Average 65fps
Metro: Last Light Redux
Medium Quality, 4xAF, Tessellation Off = Average 58fps
BioShock Infinite
Very High Quality = Average 55fps
GRID Autosport
High Quality, 4xMSAA = Average 75fps
Sleeping Dogs Definitive Edition
Medium Quality, Normal Anti-aliasing = Average 66fps
Tomb Raider
HIGH Quality setting, 1080p,= 63.3 average fps
(Free games included with Alpha)
initial conclusions: As I said, my first impression is overwhelmingly positive. I knew the custom UI was a game-changer, but I worried about receiving an anemic, underpowered machine. That worry has dissipated, and Im looking forward to exploring more of what the Alpha has in store for both new and veteran PC gamers. Stick around!
It's a good article, and well worth checking out.
EDIT: PC World has a nice review up now:
Running Far Cry 4 alongside the Xbox One, it was clear the Alpha was superior in graphics quality.
The Alienware Alpha should be viewed as a great console complement, rather than a replacement. The Alpha isnt smooth enough to be the hardcore console gamer's sole experience, especially if that gamer wants the carefully controlled environment of the consoles. If that console gamer, however, wanted to sail the vast ocean of PC gaming, where fantastic titles can be had for a pittance, the Alpha would be a wonderful addition to a shelf that already holds the Xbox One, PS4, Ouya and Wii.
Positive review from techcrunch
http://techcrunch.com/2014/12/12/ali...-tiny-package/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0i6..._mNMnz&index=4